British citizens fighting for Israeli army face Gaza war crimes claims: Report
British citizens fighting for Israeli army face Gaza war crimes claims: Report
A team of lawyers in the UK plans to file a war crimes complaint today against 10 British citizens who took part in Israel’s war in Gaza, reports The Guardian.
The complaint accuses the Britons of involvement in “indiscriminate attacks on civilian areas” and “coordinated attacks on protected sites including historic monuments and religious sites”, among other crimes, according to the daily.
Prominent barrister Michael Mansfield, who is among the lawyers engaged in the case, said, “British nationals are under a legal obligation not to collude with crimes committed in Palestine. No one is above the law.”
“If one of our nationals is committing an offence, we ought to be doing something about it,” The Guardian reported, quoting Mansfield. “Even if we can’t stop the government of foreign countries behaving badly, we can at least stop our nationals from behaving badly.”
Israeli army dismisses reports it will let aid into Gaza
The Israeli military has dismissed media reports saying the army would allow aid deliveries into the besieged Gaza Strip in response to international pressure and to avoid facing legal consequences.
Yedioth Ahronoth reported that the army was working on a pilot project to distribute aid to the population while not delivering any to Hamas. Israel’s Finance Minister Smotrich dismissed the report, saying, “Not a single grain of wheat will enter the territory.”
Denying the media reports, the army said on X: “Following this morning’s announcement about humanitarian aid, the [Israeli army] is acting in accordance with the directives of the political echelon … Israel is not and will not transfer any aid to Hamas.”
The UN has warned hunger is spreading in Gaza. The International Court of Justice last year ruled that Israel must allow the unhindered entry of aid into the Palestinian territory.
Netanyahu in US to discuss Gaza, Iran and tariffs with Trump
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is in Washington, DC, to meet the US president, whom he will likely ask for a reprieve from US tariffs while seeking further backing on Iran and Gaza.
Netanyahu becomes the first foreign leader to meet Trump in the US capital since his “Liberation Day” tariffs announcement sent global markets crashing.
“I believe this reflects the special personal relationship and the unique bond between the United States and Israel, which is so vital at this time,” Netanyahu said in a statement.
The Israeli leader’s visit is “a way for Netanyahu to play the game and show Trump that Israel is going along with him”, Yannay Spitzer, a professor of economics at Hebrew University, told the AFP news agency.
“I would not be surprised if there is an announcement of some [tariffs] concession for Israel, … and this will be an example for other countries.”
